ISTANBUL - Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler left on Sunday for Greek capital Athens to attend Southeast European Regional Energy Market (SEE-REM) meeting.
Prior to his departure, Guler told reporters that the aim of the meeting was to create a regional electricity and natural gas market in Southeast Europe and integrate it with European Union (EU) internal market.
Guler said that he would serve as the term president in the meeting which would also be attended by Albania, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro and Greece.
A memorandum of understanding would be signed in the meeting, Guler noted.
Guler said, ''this memorandum of understanding is important for our integration with Europe both in electricity and natural gas. Turkey will sign this memorandum not only for electricity and natural gas integration with Europe, but also for assuming a common stance in its practice.''
He would hold a meeting with Greek Minister of Development about natural gas, Guler pointed out.
Guler added, ''as you know, Oil Pipeline Corp. (BOTAS) thinks of transferring natural gas to Europe via Turkey and Greece and then to Italy and creating a Southeast ring. A second line will go till Hungary and Austria via Bulgaria. Therefore, my meeting with Greek minister is important.''
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Guler is expected to return to Turkey on Tuesday.
(BRC-AÖ) 08.12.2003